A federal judge has ordered the return of Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a Babson College freshman who had been deported to Honduras, in a ruling that could enable her to resume her studies in the United States.
A Boston federal judge gave the Trump administration 21 days to rectify the deportation of Any Lucia López Belloza, a Babson College freshman deported to Honduras after a court order barred removal; he suggested issuing her a U.S. visa as the simplest remedy and asked the government to outline how it will proceed.
U.S. officials told a federal court they’re sorry for a deportation error that moved Babson College freshman Any Lucia Lopez Belloza to Honduras after a November court order to halt removal. The government argued the deportation was lawful because a 2016 immigration judge order remained in effect, while acknowledging an ICE officer mistakenly believed the order no longer applied and failed to cancel the mission. The judge signaled limited jurisdiction to hold the government in contempt but noted the removal violated the court order. Belloza’s attorney urged remedies, including allowing her to return to finish her studies or reopen the underlying removal case.
Babson College freshman Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, deported to Honduras before Thanksgiving, is asking the U.S. government for help returning to resume her studies; in a court hearing, federal officials acknowledged they were wrong to expel her after a judge had ordered them not to, and she remains hopeful following the government’s apology.
The US government apologized in court for a 'tragic' bureaucratic mistake that led to the deportation of 19-year-old Babson College freshman Any Lucia Lopez Belloza after an emergency court order directing she be kept in the U.S. for 72 hours was not observed; an ICE officer allegedly believed the order no longer applied once she left Massachusetts and failed to halt the removal, prompting the judge to note the error but not hold the government in contempt. Lopez Belloza, who is staying with relatives in El Salvador and studying remotely, was detained at Boston’sairport on Nov. 20 and flown to Honduras two days later. The case mirrors other deportations despite court orders and prosecutors say the removal was lawful based on a prior 2016 order, though the government is open to reopening the removal order or pursuing options for her to return to finish her studies (e.g., a student visa).
Babson College has been ranked the 10th best college in America by The Wall Street Journal in its 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings. The ranking reflects Babson's strength in entrepreneurship and business education, as well as its overall contribution to student success. The methodology of the rankings now emphasizes student outcomes, such as graduation rates and graduate salaries. Babson's impressive student outcomes, including high starting salaries for undergraduates and job offers for MBA graduates, contributed to its top 10 placement. The college's focus on preparing students for successful careers in the business world, through courses and hands-on experiences in entrepreneurship, was highlighted as a key factor in its ranking.